Scholars and experts call for stronger wetland governance as Kopra Jalasay earns global recognition on World Wetlands Day.
TFP Bureau, Raipur, February 5, 2026: Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur on Monday hosted a national-level online workshop to commemorate 50 years of the Ramsar Convention, coinciding with World Wetlands Day and the historic recognition of Kopra Jalasay as Chhattisgarh’s first Ramsar Site. The workshop, titled “50 Years of the Ramsar Convention: Wetland Conservation in Global & Indian Contexts”, brought together legal scholars, environmental experts, policymakers and students from across the country to deliberate on the past, present and future of wetland conservation.
In his opening address, Vice-Chancellor of HNLU, Prof. (Dr.) V.C. Vivekanandan, underlined the continuing relevance of the Ramsar Convention since its adoption in 1971. He said that the designation of Kopra Jalasay as a Ramsar Site was not merely a symbolic inclusion in an international list, but a reaffirmation of the fundamental role wetlands play in sustaining biodiversity, livelihoods and ecological balance. He emphasised that wetlands are integral to humanity’s shared future and must be protected through informed policy, law and public participation.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Ritesh Kumar, Director, Wetlands International – South Asia, who traced India’s journey under the Ramsar framework over the past four decades. Highlighting India’s expanding network of Ramsar Sites and the evolution of regulatory mechanisms, he also drew attention to persistent challenges such as governance gaps, ecological degradation and institutional limitations. Dr. Kumar cautioned against unscientific interventions, noting that wetlands often suffer from excessive concretisation and cosmetic beautification projects when they require urgent ecological restoration. He advocated the creation of a dedicated national wetlands mission, stronger integration between research and policy, improved financial support, capacity building and the inclusion of wetlands education in academic curricula.
Addressing the legal and governance aspects, Mr. Pratik Verma, Legal Advisor to the Chhattisgarh State Wetland Authority under the Forest and Climate Change Department, spoke on the Ramsar Convention as a cornerstone of international environmental law. He highlighted the increasing role of Indian courts in reinforcing wetland protection and stressed the importance of World Wetlands Day in raising public awareness and generating political and institutional momentum for conservation efforts.
The workshop was conceptualised and organised by Dr. Debmita Mondal, Head of the Centre for Law & Sciences at HNLU, with academic support from Dr. Rana Navneet Roy, Head of the Centre for Environmental Laws. The programme was held in collaboration with Wetlands International – South Asia, the Chhattisgarh State Wetland Authority and the Chhattisgarh State Biodiversity Board. The proceedings were anchored by Himanshi Thakur, an LLM student of HNLU.
The event witnessed active participation from HNLU faculty members, researchers and students, along with more than 80 participants from various parts of the country. Discussions reflected a shared concern over the vulnerability of wetlands and the need for coordinated legal, scientific and community-driven approaches.
The workshop concluded with a collective call to translate the principles of the Ramsar Convention into measurable outcomes, including healthier wetlands, resilient communities, informed citizens and sustainable development. Participants also highlighted the opportunity for Chhattisgarh to emerge as a meaningful contributor to India’s wetland conservation efforts following the global recognition of Kopra Jalasay.
